Signora Sheila

A few years ago we were able to visit a church in Pozzuoli, a town where the apostle Paul landed on his way to Rome! They even have a sign in the harbor that shows where he disembarked, and we couldn’t help but wonder what it was like back then and how he felt.

Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium [now Reggio Calabria]. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.

Acts 28:12-14

Pozzuoli began as a Greek colony called Dicaearchia. When it became a Roman colony in 194 BC, it became Puteoli. It is located in the center of a volcanic caldera called Campi Flegrei.

It’s still a hospitable place (the whole Naples area is), and a pretty seaside city with lots of interesting things to see, especially Roman artifacts.

Puteoli was an important harbor in Roman times, importing grain and other goods from all over the world. While exporting goods such as blown glass, mosaics, wrought iron, and marble. The nearby Misenum port also housed the largest naval fleet in the ancient world.

But what makes Pozzuoli most interesting to me is that the apostle Paul stayed there on his way to his imprisonment in Rome. After staying there for 7 days, he and his companions continued north to Rome, a journey of 170 miles (274 km) along the Appian Way.

It’s exciting to know that even back then Paul found fellow believers there! Wouldn’t it be amazing if some of the believers we met were distant relatives of theirs?

The seismic activity that plagues the area peaked in 1983, destroying 8000 buildings and raising the sea floor almost 2 meters, making the bay too shallow for large ships.

It’s an interesting town in a beautiful area, so if you go to the Naples area, Pozzuoli is worth a visit!

Because our trip was last minute and during the peak summer season, we could only find a windowless room in a rather rundown B&B. It might be tempting to complain when things could be better, but we’re learning to look for the blessings instead.

Our weekend there was one of the summer’s hottest, and coming down from the mountains we really felt it. BUT the B&B had air conditioning. I don’t usually look forward to visiting new churches, as I usually feel awkward and out of place, BUT we found it really warm and inviting. And we got to see a bit of the town, enjoyed some dinners out, and meet some great people both at the church and at the B&B!

📷 Image credits: panorama of pozzuoli by Patrick Nouhailer; panorama of pozzuoli port by Roberto De Martino; pozzuoli amphitheater by Miguel Hermoso Cuesta | others are mine